This annotated photo gallery displays the success story of an ongoing solar market gardens project in which a women's farming group in Nothern Benin, through the adoption of solar-powered irrigation pumps, increased household income and nutritional intake in just one year, particularly during the long dry season. This story is intended to inspire investment in innovative ideas that link food security, energy security, and water security in the world's poorest areas.

In November 2007, three half-hectare systems were installed -- one in the village of Dunkassa (submersible pump) and two in the village of Bessassi (surface pumps) – in conjunction with pre-existing women’s agricultural groups. Two “control” villages that still hand water their crops were chosen for comparison.
In November 2007, three half-hectare systems were installed -- one in the village of Dunkassa (submersible pump) and two in the village of Bessassi (surface pumps) – in conjunction with pre-existing women’s agricultural groups. Two “control” villages that still hand water their crops were chosen for comparison.Photo credit: JB JB

Northern Benin, West Africa, is home to some of the world’s poorest and most food insecure agricultural populations—often surviving on less than $1 per person per day. Agriculture is a source of livelihood for 95% of the population who depend primarily on rainfed production of staple crops. Photo credit: Marshall Burke

Yields are characteristically low, have poor nutritional value, and production is typically limited to a 3-6 month rainy season. During the dry season, some women and young girls will haul water for several hours each day in an attempt to hand-water small plots of vegetables.Photo credit: Jennifer Burney

Solar market gardens (SMGs) provide a cost-effective, labor-saving, and clean way of delivering much-needed irrigation water, particularly during the long, dry season. The systems allow for cultivation of larger areas and are designed for rural areas with limited electricity access.Photo credit: Jennifer Burney

In a SMG, a solar photovoltaic array powers a pump (surface or submersible) that feeds water to a reservoir; the reservoir then gravity-distributes the water to a low-pressure drip irrigation system. The pumps are durable, immune to fuel shortages, and cost less than diesel-powered generators.Photo credit: JB

Drip irrigation is an extremely efficient mechanism for delivering water (and fertilizer) directly to the roots of plants. It increases yields and allows for introduction of new (potentially high-value) crops in regions where they could not be sustained by rainfall alone.Photo credit: Jennifer Burney

Diversification into high-value crops is key to breaking the persistent poverty cycle and improving local nutrition. High value crops increase returns to land, provide a natural mechanism for spreading risk, and link smallholder farmers to a broader array of markets.Photo credit: Jennifer Burney

Despite its promise, a solar electrification strategy for poor agricultural communities has not been rigorously tested vis-à-vis other technologies for its impact on development and the environment. The randomized, single-treatment Kalalé project design provided an ideal laboratory.Photo credit: Jennifer Burney

To quantify the household impacts of the SMG technology, FSE conducted detailed household surveys just as farmers began using the systems in November 2007; also the beginning of the dry season. The surveys were repeated a year later.Photo credit: Ariane Tom Ariane Tom

A year later, pilot households saw a $0.69 per capita daily increase in standard of living. Project households purchased more food across food groups, particularly in the dry season, than control households. By selling surplus produce at the local market, pilot farmers earned an extra $7.50 per week.
A year later, pilot households saw a $0.69 per capita daily increase in standard of living. Project households purchased more food across food groups, particularly in the dry season, than control households. By selling surplus produce at the local market, pilot farmers earned an extra $7.50 per week.Photo credit: Jennifer Burney Jennifer Burney

Agricultural production increased ten fold with each SMG supplying nearly two tonnes of produce per month. Because women and young girls were no longer walking long distances to fetch water, they had more time to participate in agricultural activities and reported spending less time working on their plots.
Agricultural production increased ten fold with each SMG supplying nearly two tonnes of produce per month. Because women and young girls were no longer walking long distances to fetch water, they had more time to participate in agricultural activities and reported spending less time working on their plots.Photo credit: JB JB

Year round access to nutritious fruits and vegetables had a significant impact on annual and seasonal food security, and SMG households began to transition from meeting immediate needs to meeting other needs with their new incomes: school fees, medical costs.Photo credit: Jennifer Burney

There was no evidence that children were being kept out of school to work in the gardens. In fact, a curriculum for elementary school children was developed to help village children learn about the solar drip technology, labor savings, and economic returns from high-valued vegetable production.
There was no evidence that children were being kept out of school to work in the gardens. In fact, a curriculum for elementary school children was developed to help village children learn about the solar drip technology, labor savings, and economic returns from high-valued vegetable production.Photo credit: J. Burney

Numerical literacy improved: at project onset, only 1-2 farmers in each of the women’s groups had finished primary school and could read or write. Through the act of tracking sales and dues some of the women (under the guidance of the literate few) have learned to write and simply calculate numbers.Photo credit: JB

On an institutional level, SMG farming groups secured civil documentation of their land (previously allocated by a chief). Each group sought guidance and registered as an independent NGO in Benin which qualifies them to open low-fee bank accounts. Each group now has such an account.Photo credit: J. Burney

SMG groups have each established their own revolving credit fund (~$1,000) for input purchases, tech maintenance, and group investments. Microcredit access in this region is typically ~$50-$100 with little larger formal loan access. Members hope to lend to women's groups in other villages.Photo credit: J. Burney

President of the Dunkassa Women’s Farming Collective: “The garden saved me and I wish to convey the ongoing impact it has on the lives of my family and neighbors. Now, I’m always in the garden. We didn’t know that the sun could do all of this. Now we sell, we eat… we eat a lot here!”Photo credit: Jennifer Burney

FSE is now scaling the project up in a dozen new villages in Northern Benin. During a recent visit to Angaradebou, FSE fellow Jennifer Burney met with the women’s group to learn about their history, management practices, goals, and challenges, and to teach them about the SMG technology.
FSE is now scaling the project up in a dozen new villages in Northern Benin. During a recent visit to Angaradebou, FSE fellow Jennifer Burney met with the women’s group to learn about their history, management practices, goals, and challenges, and to teach them about the SMG technology. Photo credit: Ariane Tom Ariane Tom

SMGs can play a significant role in augmenting food security and economic development in Africa. It is critical that investment “pay off” includes more than private profitability, and addresses nutritional improvements, equity between and among households, market expansion, and educational impacts.
SMGs can play a significant role in augmenting food security and economic development. It is critical that investment “pay off” include more than the concept of private profitability, but address nutritional improvements, equity between and among households, market expansion, and educational impacts.Photo credit: JB

As the world struggles to cope with a changing climate, we hope that data from the work conducted here will help shape the debate on how best to promote environmentally-friendly development in the world’s poorest and most vulnerable nations.Photo credit: Jennifer Burney